Reclining article of furniture



Dec. 1, 1953 A. LORENZ 2,661,048

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Jan. 51 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 3

INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ S ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1953 A. LORENZ 2,661,048

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Jan. 51, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ I-Ils ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1953 A. LORENZ 2,661,043

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Jan. 51, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1953 A. LORENZ RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 51, 1946 INVENTOR ANTQN LORENZ BY Hus ATTQ, NEY

Dec. 1, 1953 A. LORENZ 2,651,048

: RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed Jan. 51, 1946 Q 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ANTON LORENZ BY HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1953 A. LORENZ 2,661,048

RECLINING ARTICLE OF FURNITURE iNVENTOR ANTON LORENZ HIS ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES amm OFFICE V I RE-CLINING 2:2 1:2 FU-RNITURE' Application January 31, 1946, Serial No. 644,452

25 Claims. 1

improve on the construction of articles of furniture of above described type as now ordinarily made.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of various devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being described in the specification and being illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the locking device of the chair shown in Fig. 1, taken on line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a different embodiment of a controlling element which may be substituted for the controlling element of the chair shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a controlling element, which may be substituted for the controlling element of the chair shown in Fig. l,

. Fig. 5 is an elevational view of a diiferent embodiment of a controlling element, which may be substituted for the controlling element of the chair shown in Fig. 1,

. Fig. 6 is a side elevational view'o'f a diilerent embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention,

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of the side wall of the support being broken away,

Fig. dis a perspective view of the support of the chair shown in Fig. '7, illustrating the controllingunit of the chair mounted in the support, 7

Fi 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of the safety device for holding the controlling unit of the-chair shown in Fig. 7 in its position,

in Fig. 21.

Fig. 10 Ba perspective view of a different em bodiment of a controlling unit which may be substituted for the controlling unit of the chair shown in Fig. 7,

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a controllin unit, which may be substituted for the controllin unit of the chair shrown in Fig. 7,

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a reclining chaise-longue accordin to the invention,

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the controlling element of the chaise-longue shown in Fig. 12, r,

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of a difierent embodiment of a reclining chaise-longue accord' ing to the invention,

Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a reclining chaise-longue according to the invention,

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of the side wall of the support being broken away,

Fig. 17 is a side elevational view of a reclining chaise-longue according to the invention,

Fig. 18 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of the side wall of the support being broken away,

Fig. 19 is a view of a detail of the chair shown in Fig. 18, taken on line |9l9 of Fig. 18,

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the controlling unit of the chair shown in Fig. '18,

Fig. 21 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of a reclining chair according to the invention, a portion of the side wall being broken away, i

Fig. 22 is a perspective view ofthe controlling unit of the chair shown in Fig. 21,

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the front portion of the chair shown in Fig. 21 illustrating the holding device of the chair in an enlarged scale,

Fig. .24 is a sectional view of the holding device shown in Fig. 23, taken on line 24-24 of Fig. 23, and

Fig. 25 is an elevational view of a different em.'- bodiment of the controlling mechanism for the leg-rest, which may be used in the chair shown Referring now to Fig. 1, generally indicates a support in the shape of a casing. The lower end of a back-rest 3| is pivoted to said support 30 at 32, and the rear portion of a seat 33 is pivoted to said support 30 at 34 at a point spaced I from the pivotal connection 32 between the back rest 3| and the support 30.

On each side of the chair the rear end of a connecting link 35 is pivoted to an intermediate point of the back-rest 3| at 36. The front end of each connecting link 35 is pivoted at 37 to a controlling element generally indicated by 33. Each controlling element 38 is swingably mounted at its lower portion on the support 33 at 39. One end of a controlling bar 40 is pivoted at 4| to each controlling element 33, and the other end of each. controlling. bar 40 is pivoted at 42 to an upward extension 43 of a leg-rest 44 swingably mounted on the front portion of the seat 33 at 45. trolling rod 46 is pivoted at 41 to each controlling element 38, and the other end of each controlling rod 46 is pivoted to the front portion of the seat 33 at 48. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. l, the controlling element generally indi cated by 38 comprises a controlling link 49 integral with a controlling arm 50 and another controlling arm Both controlling arms 50 and 5| extend upwardly and are pivoted at 4| and 4! respectively to the controlling bar 40 and to the controlling rod 46 respectively at a point above the plane of the seat 33.

The sitting position of above described movable members of the reclining chair shown in full lines is limited by the upper edge of the support 30 on which the seat 33 comes to a rest. When the occupant of the chair leans the weight of his body against the back-rest 3|, the latter may be swung about its pivot 32 into a reclined position for example into the extreme reclined position 3|" shown in dash and dot lines and limited by a stop 52 mounted on the support 3|). Such a movement of the back-rest 3| into the position 3| causes a rocking movement of the controlling element 33 about its pivot 39 into the reclined position 38' through. the medium of the connecting link 35, whereby both, the seat 33 and the leg-rest 44 are brought into the reclined positions 33' and 44' in dependence on the movement of the back-rest 3|. When the occupant of the chair leans the. weight of his body forward and/or exerts a slight pressure with his legs onthe leg-rest, the movable members of the chair may be readily returned from the reclined position into the sitting position.

The movable members of the chair may be held in above described extreme reclined position or in any other intermediate reclined position by means of a locking device generally indicated by 53 and arranged on a pivot 36 connecting a connecting link 35 with the back-rest 3|. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said locking device 53 comprises a handle 54 screwed on the threaded end of the pivot 36. Said pivot 36 has a head 55 resting against the surface of the back-rest 3|. A square portion 56 of the pivot 36 is inserted into a corresponding square aperture of the back-rest 3|, whereby the pivot 36 is prevented from rotation when the handle 54 is turned. When the user of the chair loosens the locking handle 54, the surface of the hub 51 of said handle is disengaged from the surface of the connecting link 35, so that the movable members of the chair may be freely moved from one position into another one. When the locking handle 54 is tightened, the surface of the hub of the handle is pressed against the connecting link 35, whereby the latter is pressed against the back-rest 3| engaged with the head 55 of the pivot 36, so that the members of the chair are held in their position. Of course, any other type of locking device may be used instead of said locking device 53, if desired.

Furthermore, one end of a con- The controlling element 38 must not necessarily be in the shape shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, for example, illustrates a different embodiment of such a controlling element, which could be used in the chair shown in Fig. 1 instead of the controlling element 38. According to Fig. 3, the controlling element 38a is in the shape of a plate having a series of bores 31a, 39a, 4m, 41a for its pivotal connections with the connecting link, the support, the controlling bar, and the controlling rod.

Fig. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a controlling element 381), which could be used in the chair shown in Fig. 1 instead of the controlling element 38. Said controlling element 38b may be. obtained, for example, by cutting recesses into a plate of the shape shown in Fig. 3; the edges of'such a plate are indicated by dash lines in Fig. 4. The controlling element 38b shown in said Fig. 4 may be considered as comprising a bent controlling link 4% having bores 31!), 39?), 4| 2) for its pivotal connections with the connecting link, the support, and the controlling bar and having a controlling arm 5Ib with a bore 41b for a pivotal connection with the controlling rod.

According to Fig. 5, the controlling element 380, which may be substituted for the controlling element 38 of the chair shown in Fig. 1 comprises a single controlling link 490 of bent shape having bores 31c, 390, M0, and 410 for its pivotal connections with the controlling link, the support, the controlling bar, and the controlling rod.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Fig. 6, again the back-rest I3| and the seat I33 are pivoted to the support I30 at spaced points I32 and I34. The controlling element I38 swingably mounted on the support I30 at I39 is pivoted at I31 to the front portion of the connecting link I35, the rear end of which is pivoted at I36 to the back-rest I3I. According to. Fig. 6, said controlling element I38 corn prises the controlling link I49, the controlling arm [50,. and the controlling arm I5! positively connected with each other. The controlling arm I56 extends in an upward direction and is pivoted with one end of the controlling bar I45 at I4I at a point above the plane of the seat I33. The other end of said controlling bar I43 is pivoted at I42 to the extension I43 of the leg-rest I44 swingably mounted on the seat I33 at I45. The other controlling arm |5I of said controlling element I38 extends in a downward direction and is pivoted to one end of the controlling rod I46 at M1 at a point below the plane of the seat I333. The other end of said controlling rod I43 is pivoted to the seat I33 at I48.

When the back-rest I3I is swung about its pivot I32 from the sitting position shown in full lines into the extreme reclined position shown in dash and dot lines, the movable members of the chair are likewise brought into the extreme reclined position shown in dash and dot lines by means of above described controlling mechanism. The sitting position is limited by the upper edge of the support I30, and the extreme reclined position is limited by the stop I52. The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device I53.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Fig. '7, the back-rest 23I and the seat 233 are pivoted to the support 233 at spaced points 232 and 234. At each side of the chair the rear end of a connecting link 235 is pivoted to the back-rest at 236. The front end of each connecting link 235 is pivoted at 231 to a controlling link 249 in the shape of a'bent link. -Each controlling link 249 is rigidly connected at its lower endwith a transverse rod 239 (see Figs. 7 and 8). Said transverse rod 239 is rotatably engaged with recesses 258 of the side walls of the support 236. Said recesses 258 are open at the topfor a.- purpose to be described .hereinafter. A single controlling arm 256 is rigidly connected with the transverse rod 239 substantially in the centerof the'chair. Thus, the two controlling links 249, the controlling arm 250, and the transverse rod 239 positively connected with each other form a controlling unit 259 which may be readily inserted into the open recesses 258 from above. Said controlling unit 259 may be held in its position by means of safety plates 260attached to'the side walls of the support 230 by screws (see Figs.'8 and 9). One end of a controlling bar 246 is pivoted at 24f to the controlling arm 256, and the other end of said controlling bar 246 is pivoted at 242 to the leg-restZM swingably mounted on the seat 233 at 245. During movements ofthe movable members of the chair, said controlling bar 240 and said controlling arm 253 may pass through a slot 26! in the front wall of the sup.- port 239. On each side of the chair one end of a controlling rod 246 is pivoted to a controlling link 249 at 241' and the other end of each controlling rod 246 is pivoted to the seat 233 at 248.

When the back-rest 23I is swung about its pivot 232 into the extreme reclined position 23! limited by an abutment of the back-rest against the stop 252 mounted on the sup-port 23il,the controlling unit 259 is swung by means of the connecting links 235 into the position 259', whereby the seat 233 and the leg-rest 244 are lifted into the positions 233 and 244. g The sitting position of the movable members of the chair is-limitedby an abutment of --the seat 233 against the upperedge of the support 230. The movable members ofthe chair may be held in any desired position by means ofthe' locking device 253. 1

. Fig. 10 illustrates a different embodiment of a controlling unit 25912 which may be substituted for thecontrolling unit 259 of the chair shown in Figs. 7 and8. According to Fig. 10, the controlling um't 25901 is made of an integral piecev of material. I

:Fig. 11 illustrates a further embodiment ofa controlling unit 259e which may be substituted for the controlling'unit 259 of the chair shown in Figs.'7 and 8.- Accordingto Fig. 11, the-con-' trolling unit 259 consists of two members rigidly connected with each other'by rivets 262e or the like.

--According'to the embodiment of a reclining chaise-longue shown in Fig. 12, the back-rest 33! and the seat 333 are coaxially pivoted at 332 to the support generally indicated by 330. Said support 330 comprisesside frames of tubular material connected with each other by bracing members 363, 364. The support 339 may be moved along the ground by means of wheels 364 journalled in the support in any suitable manner.

On each side of the chaise-longue, therear end of a connecting link 335 is pivoted to'the' back-rest 33| at 336. Furthermore, on "each side of the chaise-longue a controlling element 338 is swingably mounted on the'support' 336 at 339. Each controlling element 338' is pivoted" to the front end of a connecting link 3335 at 331. According to Figs. 12"and 13, each controlling element 338 comprises a controlling link 349, a controlling arm 356 anda controlling arm 35l rigidly connected with each other.- Both controlling arms 356 and 351 are arranged below the plane of the seat 333. The controlling arm 350 is in the shape of a telescopic member having the element 365 slidably arranged in the hollow element 366. The element 365 and 366 may be heldin any desired position relative to each other by means of the set screw 361. A shaft 368. carrying a rotatable roller 369 is mounted on the element 365 of the telescopic controlling arm 35!], and a shaft 310 carrying a rotatable roller 3' is mounted on the controlling arm 35l. The circumferential surface of the roller 369 constitutes a controlling or abutting. surface arranged on the controlling arm 359 for displaceable engagement with a cooperating abutting surface on the lower side of the leg-rest 344 swingably mounted on the seat 333 at 345. Likewise, the circumferential surface of the roller 3' constitutes a controlling or abutting surface arranged on the controlling arm 35! for displaceable engagement with a cooperating abutting surface of the seat 333.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chaise-longue is limited by the bracing member 364, on which the seat 333 comes to a rest. When the back-rest 33l is swung into the extreme reclined position 33! limited by an abutment of the back-rest against the stop 352, mounted on the support 339, the controlling elements 338 are swung about their pivots 339 by means of the connecting link 335 into the position 338'. During such a movement of the controlling elements 338, the roller 369 rolls along the surface of the leg-rest 344 and the roller 31! rolls along the surface of the seat 333, whereby, at the same time, the leg-rest is brought into the position 344 and the seat is brought into the position 333'. Thus, according to Fig. 12, the controlling element 338 serves again to control the movements of the seat 333 and the leg-rest 344 in dependence on the movements of the back-rest 331.

The movable members of the chaise-longue may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 353.

As will be readily understood from above, in contrast to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 7, the controlling element 338 of the chai'se-longue shown in Fig. 12 is not connected by rods or bars with the seat and the leg-rest;' the rollers 3H and 369 are in loose engagement with the seat 333 and'the leg-rest 334 respectively. Therefore, when the handle of the locking device 353 is loosened, and the user o'f'the chair gets up from the chair by holding on to the connecting links 335 representing the arm'- rests of "the chaise-longue, the mechanism'comprising the'back-rest 33!, the connecting link 335, and the controlling elements 338 could collapse in a forward direction. In order to prevent said mechanism from' such a collapsing, a stop 312 is arranged on the support 336 for abutting engagement with the controlling arm 350.when the seat 333 is in the sitting position. Said stop preventing a collapsing of said mechanism, however, permits a rearward movement of the movable members of the chair into a reclined position.

As mentionedabove, the controlling arm.35.0 is of the telescopic type, so that its effective, length may be varied and adiusted. Said telescopic controlling arm 350 permits a ready adiustment of the angle between the leg-rest 344 and the seat 333. If, for example, the effective length of the telescopic controlling arm 359 is extended, the leg-rest may be brought into the position 344'. shown in dash and dot lines when the seat 333 is in its sitting position shown in full lines. Now, when the back-rest 33! is swung into the position 33!, the seat will reach the position 333 and the leg-rest will reach the position 344'.

Fig. 14 illustrates a further embodiment of a reclining chaise-longue according to the invention. Again, the back-rest 43! and the seat 433 are coaxially pivoted to the support 430 at 432, and again the rear end of the connecting links 435 is pivoted to an intermediate point of the back-rest 43! at 433. On each side of the chaise-longue the upper end of a controlling link 449 swingably mounted on the support 435 at 439 is pivoted to the front connecting link 43 at 431. Each controlling link 443 has a downward extension 413 integral with the main body. of the controlling link. A telescopic controlling arm. 456 is swingably mounted on said extension 413 of the controlling link 449 at 414. Said controlling arm 45:? may be positively held in a predetermined adjusted position relative to the extension 413 of the controlling link 449 by means of an adjusting device generally indicated by 415. prises a spindle 416 threaded into threaded bores of a lug 411 mounted on the controlling arm 459 and of a lug 418 mounted on the extension 413. The spindle 416 carrying an adjusting collar 419 is of the self-locking type. As will be readily understood, the angle between the controlling arm 456 and the extension 413 may be varied by a rotation of said spindle 416 of the adjusting device 415. The telescopic controlling arm 459 carries a roller 469 for engagement with the leg-rest 444 swingably mounted on the seat 433 at 445. Likewise, the telescopic controlling arm 45! carrying the roller 41! for engagement with the seat 433 is swingably mounted on the extension 413 of the controlling link 449 at 486. The circumferential surfaces of the rollers 453 and 41! constitute abutting surfaces loosely engaged with cooperating abutting surfaces on the leg-rest and seat respectively. The controlling arm 45! may be positively held in a predetermined position relative to the extension 413 of the controlling link 449 by means of an adjusting device 49! of the type of above described adjusting device 415 between the controlling arm 45!! and the extension 413. understood, the controlling arms 459 and 45! held in a predetermined position relative to the extension 413 by means of the adjusting de-- vices 415 and 48! are moved simultaneously with the controlling link 449, when the latter is' swung about its pivot 439. The controlling link 449, the extension 413 of said controlling link,

and the controlling arms 459, 45! thus positively connected with each other form a controlling element generally indicated by 438.

Of course, the swingable and adjustable mounting of one of said controlling arms 459, 45! may be replaced by a rigid connection of such a controlling arm with the extension 413, if desired.

The sitting position of the movable members of the chaise-longue shown in full lines is limited by a stop 464 mounted on the support, and the extreme reclined position of the movable Said adjusting device 415 com- As Will be readily members of the chaise-longue is limited by the stop 452 mounted on the support 436.

When the back-rest 43! is swung about its pivot 432, the controlling element 438 controls the movements of the seat 433 and the 1eg-rest 444 by means of the rollers 41! and 469 rolling along said seat and leg-rest.

The angle between the leg-rest 444 and the seat 433 may be varied by an adjustment of the angle between the telescopic controlling arm 456 and the extension 413 by means of the adjusting device 415 and/or by means of an adjustment of the effective length of the telescopic controlling arm 450 by means of the set screw 461. The angle between the seat 433 and the back-rest 43! may be varied by means of an adjustment of the angle between the telescopic controlling arm 45! and the extension 413 by means of the adjusting device 48! and/or by means of an adjustment of the effective length of the controlling arm 45! by means of the set screw 48!.

The movable members of the chaise-longue may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 453.

A stop 412 mounted on the support 439 for engagement with the extension 413 of the controlling link 449 prevents a collapsing of the mechanism including the back-rest 43!, the connecting links 435, and the controlling element 438 in a forward direction, when the seat 433 is held in the sitting position by the stop 464.

Fig. 15 illustrates a reclining chaise-longue according to the invention, wherein the backrest 53!, the seat 533 are coaxially pivoted to the support 530 at 532. On each side of the chaise-longue the rear end of a connecting link 535 is pivoted to the back-rest 53! at 536. The front end of each connecting link 535 is pivoted at 531 to a controlling link 549. Each controlling link 549 is rigidly connected at its lower end with a transverse rod 539 rotatably mounted in the support 539 in any suitable manner. On each side of the chaise-longue a controlling arm 559 carrying a roller 569 for engagement with the leg-rest 544 swingably mounted on the seat 533 at 545 is integral with said controllin link 549. Furthemore, a bent controlling arm is rigidly connected to the transverse rod 539 substantially in the center of the chaise-longue. The telescopic end of said controlling arm 55! carries a roller 51! for loose contact with the seat 533. The controlling links 549, the controlling arms 559, the controlling arm 55!, and the transverse rod 539 rigidly connected with each other form a controlling unit generally indicated by 559.

The sitting position. of the movable members of the chaise-longue shown in full lines is limited by the stop 564 mounted on the support 539 for engagement with the seat, and the extreme reclined position of the movable members of the chaise-longue shown in dash and dot lines is limited by the stop 55?. mounted on the support 539 i for engagement with the back-rest.

A stop 512 mounted on the support 539 for engagement with the controlling arm 55! prevents a collapsing of the mechanism including the back-rest 53!, the connecting links 535 and the controlling unit 559, when the seat 533 is held in its sitting position by the stop 564.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any'desired position by meansof the locking device 553.

According to Fig. 16, the back-rest 53! and trolling link 649 rigidly connected with a trans-' verse rod 639 rotatably mounted in the support 630. A controlling arm 651 rigidly connected with said transverse rod 639 carries a roller 611 for loose contact with the seat 633. The circumferential surface of said roller 611 constitutes an abutting surface abutting against a cooperating abutting surface on the seat 633. A controlling arm 6511, however, also rigidly connected with said transverse rod 633 is pivotally connected at 641 with a controlling bar 645, which, in turn, is pivotally connected at 642 with the leg-rest 644 swingably mounted on the seat 633 at 645. The controlling bar 648 and the controlling arm 6511 may pass through a slot 661m the front wall of the support 6311. The controlling links 649, the controlling arm 658, the controlling arm 651, and'the transverse rod 639 rigidly connected with each other form a controlling unit generally indicated by 659.

The sitting position of the movable members of the. chair shown in full lines is limited by the upper edge of the support 638, and the extreme reclined position of the movable members of the chair shown in dash and. dot lines is limited by the stop 652.

When the back-rest 631 is swung about its pivot 632 from thesitting position into the reclined position 631', the controlling unit is likewise swung in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 16, so that the seat 633 is lifted into the position 633' by mean of the roller 611 on the controlling, arm 651 and the leg-rest 644 is brought into the position 644 by means of the controlling arm 559 and the controlling bar 640.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 653.

According to the embodiment of a chaiselongue shown in Fig. 1'1, the back-rest 131 and the seat 133 are coaxiallypivoted to the support 130 at 132. On each side of the chaise-longue the rear endof a connecting link 135 is pivoted to the back-rest 131 at 136, and the front end of each connecting link 135 i pivoted at 131 to a connecting link 149. Each connecting link 149 is rigidly connected with a transverserod 139 rotatably mounted in the support 1311. A bent controlling arm 150 is also rigidly connected with said transverse rod 139, the telescopic end of said controlling arm 151] carries a roller 169 for loose contact with theleg-rest 144 swingably mounted on the'seat 133 at 145. One end of-acontrolling rod 146 is pivoted at 141 to the controlling arm 150,. and the other end of said controllingrod 146i pivoted at 148 to the seat 133. The controlling links 149, the controlling arm 158, and the transverse rod 139 rigidly connected with each other form a controlling unit generally indicated by 159. Said controlling unit 159 controls the movements of the seat 133 and the legrest 144 through the medium of the controlling rod 146 and the roller 169 in dependence on the movements of the back-rest 131, to which it is connected from the medium of the connecting links 135. g

1 The. sitting position of the movable members of the chaise-longue is limited by the stop 164, and the extreme reclined position of the movable member of the chaise-longue is limited by the stop 152.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 153.

When the leg-rest 144 is in the position shown in full lines, the'leg-rest will reach the position i 144, when the back-rest is brought into the extreme reclined position 131'. When, however, the leg-rest is adjusted in the dash and dot line position 144" by means of the telescopic controlling arm 158, the leg-rest will reach the position 144" when the back-rest 131 is brought into the position 131 According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Fig. 18, the back-rest 831 and the seat 833 are coaxially pivoted to the support 830 at 882. On each side of the chair the rear end of a connecting link 835 is pivoted to said backrest 831 at 836. The front end of each connecting link 835 is pivoted at 83'! to a controlling link 849, the lower end of which is rigidly connected with a transverse rod 839 rotatably mounted in the support 838 (see Figs. 18 and 20). Furthermore, two controlling arms 851 are rigidly connected with said transverse rod 839. One end of a controlling rod 848 is pivoted to each controlling arm 85! at 841, and the other end of each controlling rod 846 is pivoted to the seat 833 at 848. Another controlling arm 8511 is rigidly connected to said transverse rod 839, substantially in the center of the chair. As best shown in Figs. 18 and 19, one end of an adjusting element or bar 882 is swingably mounted on said controlling arm 858 at 883. The other end of said adjusting element 882 is pivoted at 884 to one end of the controlling bar 848, the other end of which is pivoted at 842 to the leg-rest 844 swingably mounted on the seat 833 at 845. The controlling bar 848 may pass through a slot 881 in the front wall of the support 838. A stop 885 secured to the controlling arm 856 by screws is arranged for engagement with the swingable adjusting bar 882, so as to hold same in alignment with the controlling arm 850 as shown in full lines in Fig. 18.

When the back-rest 831 is swung about its pivot 832 into the extreme reclined position 631' shown in dash and dot lines and limited by the stop 852, the controlling unit 859 connected with the back-rest 831 by the connecting links 835 and formed by the controlling links 849, the controlling arm 859, the controlling arms 851, and. the transverse rod 839 rigidly connected with each other causes a movement of the seat 833 and the leg-rest 844 into the position 833' and 844 through the medium of the controlling bar 849 and controlling rods 846.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 853.

As mentioned above, the adjusting bar 882 isswingable about the pivot 883. If the back-rest and seat are held in a predetermined position, for example the sitting position shown in full lines in Fig. 18, by means of the locking device 853, the leg-rest 844 may be swung by hand about its pivot 845 into the position 844", wherein the controlling bar and the adjusting bar are in the positions 840", other. Now, when a slight pressure is exerted on the leg-rest, for example by the legs of the occupant resting in the chair, the controlling bar and the adjusting bar are moved slightly beyond said straight line, until a stop 886 secured to the adjusting bar 882 byscrews abuts against the 882 in alignment with each' controlling bar, whereby said elements are locked and held in a predetermined position relative to each other.

According to the embodiment of a reclining chair shown in Fig. 21, the back-rest 93l is pivoted to the support 939 at 992. The seat 933 is pivoted to the support 999 at 934 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 932 between the back-rest 93! and the support 939. A connecting link 93:; is pivoted to the back rest 93! at 939 at each side of the chair. Furthermore, on each side of the chair a controlling link 949 is pivoted to the connecting link 935 at 931. The lower end of each controlling link 949 is rigidly connected with a transverse rod 939 rotatably mounted in the support 939 (see Figs. 21 and 22). A controlling arm 95! is rigidly connected with the transverse rod 939 substantially in the center of the chair. One end of a controlling rod 949 is pivoted to said controlling arm 95! at 94?, the other end of said controlling rod 949 is pivoted to the seat 993 at 949. Furthermore, two controlling arms 959 are rigidly connected with said transverse rod 939. Each controlling arm 959 is pivoted at 98".! with one end of a first controlling bar 999, the other end of which is pivoted at 999 to a second controlling bar 999. As best shown in Figs. 21 and 23, said second controlling bar provided with a controlling surface 991 in the shape of a cam for loose contact with the leg-rest 944 is coaxially pivoted with said leg-rest 944 to the seat 933 at 945. The legrest 944 may be held against said controlling surface 99! by means of a spring (not shown).

When the leg-rest isin contact with said controlling cam surface 99!, the movements of the leg-rest are controlled by the controlling arms 959 and the controlling bar mechanisms 999, 999 in dependence on the movements of the backrest 93L as the controlling arms 959 are rigidly connected with the controlling links 949, which, in turn, are connected with the back-rest 99! through the connecting links 935. Again, the controlling links 949, the controlling arms 959, the controlling arm 95!, and the transverse rod 939 rigidly connected with each other form a controlling unit'generally indicated by 959, whichserves 'to control the movements of the seat 933 and the leg-rest 944 in dependence on the movements'o'f the back-rest 931. During a movement z of the members of the chair the controlling arms 959 and the controlling bar mechanisms 989, 999 may pass through a slot 99l in the front wall of the support 939.

The sitting position shown in full lines is limited by the upper edge of the support 939, and the extreme reclined position shown in dash and dot lines is limited by the stop 952 of 'thesupport.

The movable members of the chair may be held in any desired position by means of the locking device 953'. 7 I

If desired, the leg-rest 944 may be moved independently of the second controlling bar 999 relative to the seat 933, as the leg-rest 944 is in loose engagement with the controlling surface 99L For example, the leg-rest 944 may be brought into the position 9441', while the other members of the chair remain in the position shown in full lines. The leg-rest may be held in-said position 944" by means of a holding device generally indicated by 992. As best shown in Figs. 23 and 24, said holding device 992 comprises a rod 993 slidably arranged in a clamping sleeve 994 engaged with a bolt 995 inserted with its square portion 996-into a square aperture 991 of a-lug 998 mount- (ill 12 ed on the seat 933. An adjusting knob 999 is threaded on the threaded end portion of the bolt 995 projecting from the clamping sleeve 994. When the adjusting knob 999 is loosened, the rod 993 may be displaced for engagement with the leg-rest in its elevated position 944. Upon a tightening of the adjusting knob 999 the clampingsleeve 994 is tightened on the rod 993 for holding same and the leg-rest in its position. When the movable members of the chair are brought from the sitting position into a reclined position, the leg-rest will remain in the adjusted position relative to the seat until the controlling cam 99! of the secondcontrolling bar 999 abuts against the leg-rest 944, whereupon the control ling cam 99L controls the movements of the legrest and displaces same relative to the seat.

Fig. 25 illustrates a different embodiment of a control of the leg-rest 944, which may be substituted for the leg-rest control shown in Figs. 21 and 23. According to Fig. 25, the first controlling bar 999 pivoted at 989 to the second controlling bar 999 isprov-ided with a cam-like controlling surface 999 in loose contact with the legrest 944 pivoted to the seat 933 at 945 for controlling the movements of the leg-rest. Of course, the leg-rest 944 may be disengaged from said controlling surface 999 and may be held in a predetermined position relative to the seat 993 by the holding device generally indicated by 992.

It is understood, that certain parts, elements, or mechanisms shown in a certain figure may be substituted for corresponding parts, elements, or mechanisms of the embodiments shown in other figures of the drawings.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration, and that various omissions or changes in shape, proportion, and arrangement of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for those herein shown and described, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I'claim is:

1. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling element, said controlling element being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection of the backrest with the support, said 'c ontrolling element having three different engaging means being arranged at fixed distances from one another and said point at which said controlling element is swingably mounted on said-supportso as to form a quadrilateral, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to one of 'said engaging means of said controlling ele merit, a leg-restswing ably mounted on the front portion of said seat, first means positioned between a second one of said engaging means of said controlling element and s'aidseat and in operative engagement with each to e'iie'ct movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling element, and second means positioned between the third one of said engaging means of said controlling element and said leg-rest and in operative engagement withea'c'h to effect movement of said leg-rest in coordination with said controllingelem'ent.

5. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said first means including a controlling rod pivoted at one of its ends to said controlling element, the other end of said controlling rod being pivoted to said seat, and said second means including a controlling bar pivoted at one of its ends to said controlling element, and the other end of said controlling bar being pivoted to said leg-rest.

6. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 1, said first means including a controlling rod pivoted at one of its ends to said controlling element and at its other end to said seat, and said second mean s including a controlling bar pivoted at one 'of its ends to said controlling element and at its-other end to said leg-rest.

' 7. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling link, said controlling link being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal, connection between the back-rest and the support, said controlling link having first engaging means, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to said first engaging means of said controlling link, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portionof said seat, a controlling arm, one end of said controlling arm being positively connected with said controlling link, said controlling arm havingsecond engaging means at its other end, an extension in fixed relation to said controlling link, said extension having third engaging means, said first, second and third engaging means being arranged at fixed distances from one another and said point at which said controlling link is swingably mounted on said supportso as to forma quadrilateral, first means positioned between said second engaging means of said controlling arm and said seat and in operative engagement with each to eflect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling arm, and second means positioned between said third engaging means of said extension and said leg-rest and in operative engagement with each so as to effect movement of said leg-rest in coordination with saidextension. V

8. A reclining article of furniture comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling link, said controlling link being swinga-- bly'mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the backrest andthe support, said controlling link having first engaging means, a connecting link,'said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end'to anintermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and-being pivoted at its front portion 14 to said first engaging means of said controlling link, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat, a first controlling arm, one end of said first controlling arm being positively connected with said controlling link, second engaging means arranged on the other end of said first controlling arm, first means positioned be-- tween said second engaging means of said first controlling arm and said seat and in operative engagement with each to efiect movementof said seat in coordination with said first controlling arm, a second separate controlling arm, one end of said second controlling arm being positively connected with said controlling link, third engaging means arranged at the other end of said second controlling arm, said first, second and third engaging means being arranged at fixed distances from one another and from said point at which said controlling link is swingably mounted on said support, so as to form a quadrilateral, and second means positioned between said third engaging means of said second controlling arm and said.

leg-rest and in operative engagement with each to efiect movement of said leg-rest in coordina:

tion with said second controlling arm. 7

9. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed" in claim 8, said first means including a controlling rod pivoted at one of its ends to said first controlling arm, the other end of said controlling rod being pivoted to said seat, and said second means including a controlling bar pivoted at one of its ends to said second controlling arm, and the other end of said controlling bar being-pivoted to said leg-rest.

10. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotallymounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat'being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling link, said controlling link being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an interme-' diate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to said controlling link, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat, a first controlling arm, one end of said first controlling arm being positively connected with said controlling link, means positioned between said first controlling arm and said seat and in operative engagement with each to efiect movement of said seat in coordination with-said first controlling arm, a second controlling arm, one end of said second controlling arm being positively connected with said controlling link, an adjusting element swingably mounted on said second controlling arm, means whereby said adjusting element may be held'in,

a predetermined position relative to said second controlling arm, and a controlling bar pivotally connected at one of its ends with said adjusting element, and the other end of said controlling bar being pivotally connectedwith said leg-rest.

11. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 10, said means positioned between the firstcontrolling arm and the seat in-' cluding a controlling rod pivoted at one of its ends to said first controlling arm and at its other end to saidseat.

12. A reclining article of furniture, comprising:

a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingablyymounted on saidsupport, a con:-

trolling element, said controlling element being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, said controlling element having first engaging means, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the backrest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to said first engaging means of said controlling element, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat, cooperating abutting surfaces on said controlling element and said seat movably engaged with each other to effect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling element, said abutting surface on said controlling element forming second engaging means, said controlling element having third engaging means, and means positioned between said third engaging means of said controlling element and said leg-rest to effect movement of said leg-rest in coordination with said controlling element, said first, second and third engaging means being arranged at fixed distances from one another and said point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, so as to form a quadrilateral.

13. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 12, said last named means including ad ditional cooperating abutting surfaces on said controlling element and said leg-rest movably engaged with each other so as to effect the movement of the leg-rest in coordination with said controlling element.

14. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 12, said cooperating abutting surfaces including a roller arranged on said controlling element and movably engaged with said seat.

15. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 12, said cooperating abutting surfaces including a roller arranged on said controlling element and movably engaged with said seat, said last named means including an additional roller arranged on said controlling element and mcvably engaged with said leg-rest.

16. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed 1 in claim 12, said last named means including a controlling bar pivoted at one of its ends to said controlling member and at its other end to said leg-rest.

17. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling element, said controlling element being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support, said controlling element having first engaging means and second engaging means, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to said first engaging means of said controlling element, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat, means positioned between said second engaging means of the con-- trolling element and said seat to effect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling element, and cooperating abutting surfaces on said controlling element and said leg-rest movably engaged with each other so as to effect the movement of the leg-rest in coordination with said controlling element, said abutting surface on said controlling element forming third engaging it means, and said first, second and third engaging means being arranged at fixed distances from one another and said point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support so as to form a quadrilateral.

1 8. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 17, said cooperating abutting surfaces including a roller arranged on said -controlling element and movably engaged with said leg-rest.

19. In a reclining article of furniture as as claimed in claim 17, said means positioned between the oontrolling element and the seat including a control-ling rod pivoted at one of its ends to said cont-rolling element and at its other end to said seat.

20. A reclining article of furniture, comprising: a support, a back-rest pivotally mounted on said support, "a seat, the rear portion of said seat being swingably mounted on said support, a controlling element, said controlling element being swingably mounted on said support at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the sup-port, said controlling element having a first pivot and a second pivot, a connecting link, said connecting link being pivoted at its rear end to an intermediate point of said back-rest above the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support and being pivoted at its front portion to said first pivot of said controlling element, a leg-rest swingably mounted on the front portion of said seat, said controlling element having engaging means, means positioned between said engaging means of the controlling element and said seat to effect movement of said seat in coordination with said controlling element, a pair of pivotally connected first and second controlling bars, the lower end portion of said first controlling bar being pivoted to said second pivot of the controlling element, the upper end portion of said second controlling bar being pivoted to said seat, and cooperating abutting surfaces on one of said controlling bars and said leg-rest to effect movement of said leg-rest in coordination with said controlling element, said first and second pivots and said engaging means of the controlling element being arranged at fixed distances from one another and said point spaced from the pivotal connection between the back-rest and the support so as to form a. quadrilateral.

21. in a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 20, the abutting surface of the leg-rest being disengageable from the associated abutting surface of the controlling bar for independent movements of the leg-rest relative to the seat.

22. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 20, the abutting surface of the leg-rest being disen'gageable from the associated abutting surface of the controlling bar for independent movements of the leg-rest relative to the seat, and .a holding device associated with said seat for cooperation with said leg-rest so as to hold the latter in'a predetermined position relative to the seat during a disengagement of its abutting surface from the abutting surface of the controlling bar.

23. In a reclining article of furniture as claimed in claim 20, said abutting surfaces being arranged on said first controlling bar and said leg-rest.

24. In a reclining article :of furniture as claimed in claim 20, said abutting surfaces being 17 arranged on said second controlling bar and said Number leg-rest. 2,576,465 25. In 'a. reclining article of furniture as 2,578,708 claimed in claim 20, the pivotal connections of 2,579,502 the second controlling bar and of the leg-rest 5 with the seat being in coaxial alignment with I each other. Number ANTON LORENZ. 19,394 39,393 References Cited in the file of this patent m UNITED STATES PATENTS 447327 Number Name Date 2,433,520 Lorenz Dec. 20, 1947 Name Date Lorenz Nov. 18, 1951 Lorenz Dec. 18, 1951 Lorenz Dec. 25, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Sweden Sept. 24:, 1904 Germany June 9, 1887 Sweden June 8, 1939 Italy July 20, 1939 Great Britain May 13, 1936 

